Thursday, July 26, 2007

Clematis on Japanese Maple

Outside my building last night, I noticed one of the clematis vines making a break for it -- creeping onto the branch of a nearby Japanese Maple. I made a note to go back in better light and get a picture for I always win.

I went to bed, but couldn't unwind. As 2 A.M. approached, I panicked and took a 'pam. I managed about four hours of sleep, and woke up before my alarm went off. I had some orange juice, and went outside with my digital camera to shoot the clematis. But the plant was in shadow. I took a series of flash and naturally-lit pictures, headed back up to my apartment, put on some coffee, and started to download the images. I had some technical problems, and before I knew it, it was after 7:30. I still had to shower, dress, drive to Sunnybrook for a blood test, then go to work. At the opposite end of the city. On four hours of sleep.

The day was full of frustrations like that. I don't normally drive to work, but on my blood test days, public transit takes too long. I spent more than an hour's wage on parking today, but that's the price of speed.

Driving home after work, I get caught in a traffic jam. Yonge Street is closed for some inexplicable reason. Pulling into my building, there's a car in my parking space. Security doesn't return my call.

My current favourite gardening show is Digging Deep. On a recent episode, the highly entertaining hosts touted the healing/serene qualities of Japanese Maple. And so, I dedicate this post to Pablo, who is arguably having a shittier time of it than I am right now. Here's the least-crappy picture I took this morning... 'cause sometimes, we just have to go with what we have.

P.S. - Pablo, you should know that two weeks ago, I was trying to decide between checking myself into a psych ward or going on vacation. I Googled nervous breakdown. I'll be thinking about you.